Gibbes tight-lipped on Schmidt succession stakes

Gibbes has been forwards coach at the province since 2008. He has played a major part in capturing three Heineken Cups under Michael Cheika and Schmidt after a playing career in which he featured for Waikato, the Chiefs and New Zealand Gibbes, who claimed he had not considered the possibility of a promotion, was far more forthcoming on another matter perched on everyone’s lips this week: namely, who will start at ten against Biarritz in Saturday’s Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final.
Ian Madigan delivered a string of virtuoso performances at out-half for Leinster during Sexton’s lengthy absence as a result of Six Nations duties and injury before the latter returned for Sunday’s RaboDirect win away to Zebre.